High-frequency electroacupuncture versus carprofen in an incisional pain model in rats

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and carprofen (CP) on postoperative incisional pain using the plantar incision (PI) model in rats. A 1-cm longitudinal incision was made through skin, fascia and muscles of a hind paw of male Wistar rats and the development of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity was determined over 4 days using the von Frey and Hargreaves methods, respectively. Based on the experimental treatments received on the third postoperative day, the animals were divided into the following groups: PI+CP (CP, 2 mg/kg, po); PI+EAST36 (100-Hz EA applied bilaterally at the Zusanli point (ST36)); PI+EANP (EA applied to a non-acupoint region); PI+IMMO (immobilization only); PI (vehicle). In the von Frey test, the PI+EAST36 group had higher withdrawal force thresholds in response to mechanical stimuli than the PI, PI+IMMO and PI+EANP groups at several times studied. Furthermore, the PI+EAST36 group showed paw withdrawal thresholds in response to mechanical stimuli that were similar to those of the PI+CP group. In the Hargreaves test, all groups had latencies higher than those observed with PI. The PI+EAST36 group was similar to the PI+IMMO, PI+EANP and PI+CP groups. We conclude that 100-Hz EA at the ST36 point, but not at non-acupoints, can reduce mechanical nociception in the rat model of incisional pain, and its effectiveness is comparable to that of carprofen.

Integrative effects of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation on abdominal pain, gastrointestinal motility, and inflammation in patients with early‐stage acute pancreatitis

“…(2) The use of appropriate stimulation parameters: pulse frequency of 100 Hz for TEA at PC6 and 25 Hz for TEA at ST36. It was reported in a rodent model of incisional pain that 100‐Hz EA could reduce mechanical nociception 38 . In a rat model of postoperative ileus, the EA treatment performed at ST36 and PC6 with the same stimulation parameters as the current study was shown to have ameliorating effects of GI dysmotility, inflammation, and pain 10 .…”

Ameliorating Effects of Electroacupuncture on Dysmotility, Inflammation, and Pain Mediated via the Autonomic Mechanism in a Rat Model of Postoperative Ileus

“…The postoperative analgesic effects of acupuncture or EA at ST36 have been reported in both animal [33][34][35] and human studies. 36,37 Feng et al 33 reported that EA at ST36 and SP6 for 30 minutes showed an analgesic effect on post-laparotomy pain in rats assessed by the Von Frey filaments test.…”

“…36,37 Feng et al 33 reported that EA at ST36 and SP6 for 30 minutes showed an analgesic effect on post-laparotomy pain in rats assessed by the Von Frey filaments test. Teixeira et al 34 reported that 100-Hz EA could reduce mechanical nociception in a rodent model of incisional pain. To the best of our knowledge, there had been no reports investigating the analgesic effect of EA on postoperative pain associated with POI.…”

Electroacupuncture for postoperative ileus after laparoscopic surgery on colorectal cancer: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Our intervention will last for 4 days after surgery to ensure that every patient is treated with electroacupuncture during the pathological state. In addition, EA with 2/100-Hz stimulation has been proven to be effective in reducing postoperative incision and visceral pain [38,39].…”